SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) announced today before the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission that the Department has received $500,000 grant from the State Department of Boating and Waterways, a California Natural Resources Agency. The grant provides improvements to the dock, gangway, anchoring system at the north side of Lake Merced, as well as grading and asphalt upgrades, ADA parking, lighting improvement and project signage.

“With this grant, SF Rec and Park can now increase public safety and improve access to Lake Merced,” said Phil Ginsburg, SF Rec and Park General Manager. “Lake Merced has served a diverse community of Lake users for decades and we are excited that it will get the upgrades that it deserves.”

Currently, the dock at the north side of Lake Merced is used by the public to hand launch small boats, which provides opportunities for the public to participate in more causal leisure boating, including canoeing, kayaking, sailing and paddle boats. Over the years, the dock has aged and is now unable to safely support the weight of multiple users. The gangway has accessibility issues for elderly and people with disabilities. The wooden surface and other areas of the dock currently require regular repairs to keep it safe and functional.

The dock is frequently used by many many members of the public and organizations, including the California Dragon Boat Association that serves local schools, business, professional organizations, and civic and cultural groups as well as the San Francisco State University Community Sailing and Aquatic Recreation Program, and hundreds of youth that participate SF Rec and Park’s action sport camps and aquatic camps from all across the City throughout the year.

In partnership with the Public Utilities Commission, SF Rec and Park is investing over two million dollars in renovating the existing boathouse at Lake Merced, and because the area is open for public access, SF Rec and Park expects continual increases in needs for services and public access over time.